During the 1960s information about problems with the environment-chemicals killing fish in waters, air pollution damaging the atmosphere and endangering the health of all creatures, the widespread destruction of forests and other natural areas-began to concern people all over the world. A country's senator named Gaylord Nelson wondered why environmental issues were so disturbing to citizens but didn't seem to be on the government's list of problems to correct. A massive war protest movement, led by regular citizens against the United States' involvement in the war in Vietnam, gave Nelson an idea: why couldn't there be one day set aside for the entire nation to focus on environmental issues, learn about ways to improve the situation, and protest against the government's unwillingness to act?
After months of hard work and lots of publicity, the first Earth Day was celebrated on April 22, 1970. Twenty million Americans gathered at different places from coast to coast to hear speeches, participate in community-wide cleanup efforts, and, perhaps most important, to demonstrate to the government that the environment is a major national issue. One of the most impressive points about Earth Day is that it was (and still is) what is called a grassroots effort. This means that all the activities in the thousands of communities around the country were planned and organized by the people living in those communities. The idea was started by someone involved in government (Senator Nelson), but Earth Day happened because huge numbers of citizens got involved and decided to make a difference.
Ever since then, April 22 has been the date for celebrating Earth Day-a time when the whole country (and now many countries all over the world) could participate in educational activities that celebrate Earth and come up with new ways to preserve our natural resources and clean up the messes that have been made in our water, air, and land.
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